ATTACK ON LONDON

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12250, 23 September 1925, Page 3

ATTACK ON LONDON

BRITISH ARMY AT WAR GAME FOUR DAYS’ BATTLE COMMENCES TESTING NEW ARMS By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received September 22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 21. At- dawn to-morrow, Southern England will witness a gigantic clash of arms of 50,000 troops. It is probable that the King will appear on the ’’battlefield” at the critical moment. Twq days’ rain has transformed the greater part of the area upon which the opposing armies are gathered into a, sea of mud, reminiscent of the winter in France. One army is guarding the approach to London against another army, distinguished by red signs and flags, and known therefore as the “Reds.” Although the men on the side of London are more numerous, the “Reds” are more mobile, possessing more airplanes and cavalry. The question the whole manoeuvres come to is: “Shall the ‘Reds’ advanct on London ” After the first shot is fired to-night it will take four days to supply the answer. LAND TI?E ROMANS KNEW The Thames Valley is the path to London, and the English chief of staff is bound by the same geographical limitations that circumscribed the Romans, who placed camp after camp along the course. To-day-great tanka crawl over the same area. The continued bad weather may seriously* interfere with the campaign, and cause the sacrifice of valuable. military infovmation. All the latest developments in guns tanks, flying, smoke bombs and field wireless will he on trial. Nothing approaching the spale of these manoeuvres has taken place since 1913, and conditions will approximate as nearly as can be imagined to those which may lie expected in the next war. Not only new weapons, but new ideas and new ’planes are to he tried. It will be a great testing and a mag--nificent object lesson. The Army Council was loath to ask for the necessary money, bufy so .great has been the development in well pons that it was felt that unless these new arms were tried out on a wide sca’e. such as would be necessary in actual warfare, there would be little justification for asking that they should be produced in large quantities. The manoeuvres are to be used for the assistance of research as well as for the training of troops and staffs. SPEEDY TANKS The new tanks that will he used are a great advance on the tanks used during the last war—extra fast on roads and speedy across country. New methods of mechanical transport will be used, also smoke-producing devices whioh the Army Council is confident will save many casualties, and improved Wireless reception apparatus. A step further is hoped to be gained in co-operation between ground and air forces. . ‘ The two armies are commanded by General Sir Philip Chetwode and General Sir Alexander Godley. FRENCH VISITORS Marshal Petain and General Dubigoy, of the French Army, with their staffs, will be the most distinguished foreign visitors. Field-Marshal Earl Haig will watch as a guest of the council. _ . . Preliminary training for the mimic war has been carried out by both armies in the neighbourhood of Salisbury* Winchester, Basingstoke, Petersfield, and other points between Salisbury Plain and -he New Forest. Farmers atf oyer the yast area in which the troops will operate have raised objections, but equitable consideration will be dealt out under a manoeuvres commission for compensation which is being set up under General Seely. The commanders on either side are ,to have no inkling of the surprises in store for them.